London Road appearance 'imperative' to Camberley plans

Surrey Heath Borough Council has put together the plan to secure the long-term future of Camberley town centre

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More vital pieces of the jigsaw to secure the long-term future of Camberley town centre fell into place this week just a fortnight after major plans to rejuvenate the town were unveiled.

On Tuesday (October 15), Surrey Heath Borough Council hosted a pre-hearing ahead of formal government examination of its Camberley Area Action Plan, which will guide regeneration efforts through to 2028. The plan sets out a number of key principles the authority hopes to cement in its broader vision for the town centre in respect of new shopping facilities, leisure, culture and community provisions, transport links and improving the A30 frontage.

The plan was submitted to the Secretary of State in August, and government planning inspector Mike Fox will lead a series of hearings to determine whether the plan is fit-for-purpose set to get under way on December 11.

The hearings will also give interested parties the chance to make representations. Some 96 have already been made following consultation earlier this year.

The plan comes hot on the heels of proposals presented by The Mall and Centros late last month, who have together partnered with SHBC to lead a swathe of the development.

This relates predominantly to ongoing efforts to regenerate Park Street, High Street and The Mall Camberley, but also includes the provision for a new anchor store on the A30 London Road.

Tackling the A30 frontage has long been a key priority for the council and members of its executive committee will meet on Tuesday (October 22) to vote on whether to sanction a £500,000 budget to progress its London Road Block Project.

This would be with a view to signing a development agreement to formalise the principle to develop and allow the council to pursue the necessary planning permissions and secure strategic pieces of land.

The plan specifically acknowledges problems presented by the A30 frontage – combined with the "poor quality" of environment in the area – as the "single biggest problem" facing the town centre.

“Lack of visibility or presence results in the existing town centre being hidden from much of the surrounding area, and to passing traffic,” the plan reads. “There is a need to redevelop and regenerate this area and open up the town centre to have a presence on the A30 London Road, with high quality, modern design solutions.”

A report issued ahead of Tuesday’s meeting, drafted by the council’s head of service Peter Hunt, said it was "imperative" to focus on the frontage to present a more attractive proposition to shoppers and visitors. He added the development agreement would likely be brokered with Capital & Regional, owners of The Mall, and its backers Aviva.

The council is also looking to create a new "cultural quarter" on land east of Knoll Road, likely to unify the museum, library and the theatre, and also drive through improvements to Camberley station.